Tamil Nadu: Transgender community celebrates 18-day-long Koovagam festival

Tamil Nadu recently witnessed the annual 18-day-long Koovagam festival dedicated to the transgender community. As many as 1.5 lakh people thronged the Koothandavar Temple chariot procession held as part of the Koovagam festival at Koovagam village in Kallakurichi district on May 3, 2023.

The 18-day-long Koovagam festival came to an end with Lord Aravan, the deity of the temple, being killed as part of a sacrifice.

Transgender people from across the country gather on the 17th day of the festival to get married to Lord Aravan, a ritual followed for ages, which can be traced back to a tale in the MahabharathaAs Lord Aravan would be killed on the 18th day, his ‘wives’ embrace widowhood by wearing a white saree sans makeup or jewelry.

The transwomen gather in small groups and lament over the death of their husband.

The Koovagam festival is significant as it celebrates diversity and inclusivity.

 The Koovagam festival provides a platform for the transgender community to celebrate their identity and participate in a traditional Hindu festival.

The Koovagam festival also raises awareness about the issues faced by the transgender community and aims to create a more accepting and inclusive society.

A priest cuts the ‘thalis’ (wedding chain) and breaks the bangles of transgender persons at the Koothandavar temple in Koovagam.

Broken bangles and ‘thalis’ are strewn on the ground as the wives get ‘widowed’ upon the death of Lord Aravan.

Courtesy : TNIE

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